Significant clashes have taken place today between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Paramilitary group, which the military has declared a rebel force. Explosions and gunfire sounded throughout the capital, Khartoum, as each sides soldiers opened fire upon each other. Reportedly, Sudans airforce launched strikes against RSF positions in and around Khartoum.
Sudanese AirForce engaging RSF targets pic.twitter.com/EyBzbw8skP
— GHMV2 (@GHMV2Research) April 15, 2023
The RSF’s leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has issued threats to the Sudanese leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, saying “We know where you are hiding and we will get to you and hand you over to justice, or you die just like any other dog”.
Footage of heavy clashes in Khartoum pic.twitter.com/dnvtQ8Gd0V
— GHMV2 (@GHMV2Research) April 15, 2023
In response, General al-Burhan has stated if the RSF does not turn their troops back, he will deploy a much heavier military presence to Khartoum.
Reportedly, the RSF has raided and captured the Egyptian Merowe airbase within the country, capturing a number of Egyptian soldiers as well as several Egyptian MiG-29 Fighter Jets.
Captured Egyptian Soldiers in Sudan pic.twitter.com/iXB1kSG5vE
— GHMV2 (@GHMV2Research) April 15, 2023
Many commercial flights to the nation have been turned back and suspended. One Saudi Arabian plane was involved in an “accident” when it attempted to land in Sudan, before turning back to Riyadh, though it has not been said what the accident in question is. The Saudi government released a statement on the aircraft.
Clashes between the RSF and the government appear to have erupted after a breakdown in negotiations pursuing a final agreement that would see the nation gradually return to democracy. Civilian groups and the government were already in agreement, and the deal was supposed to be signed twice by now, but has continually been delayed. It’s delay is caused by the question of integration of the RSF into the Sudanese military, whether or not to do it and if so, how. The RSF is headed by Sudan’s second-in-command, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
International observers have called for a ceasefire as the nation threatens to once again boil over into civil war. The government has had a series of coups over the last number of years, with the present government only being in power since 2021.
US ambassador John Godfrey has states himself and his staff are sheltering at the embassy and is calling for calm, along with the African Union, the EU, the Arab League, and many others.
I just arrived late last night in Khartoum and woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting. I am currently sheltering in place with the Embassy team, as Sudanese throughout Khartoum and elsewhere are doing. (1/2)
— John Godfrey (@USAMBSudan) April 15, 2023
Clashes are centred in Khartoum, but have broken out in other places across the country.
